If you told me right now that if I put my hair into pigtails and got someone to sign as my ‘legal guardian’ I could get a free week of training with Will Faudree, I would say someone show me to the Junior aisle and get me a Justin Beiber cd. However, to win that I would also have to be a really good rider, be going Training Level, and procure enough points on the PRO Professional Junior Young Rider Training Level Scholarship Award Program.
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That’s just what Grace Fulton of Finksburg, MD, Kaylin Medlin of Charlotte NC, and Hailey Patno of Jackson, WY did over the course of a year. Fulton and Medlin both qualified as being the top contenders from the East Coast, and Patno qualified on the merit of being the only West Coast rider to compete in the number of required events. However, it wasn’t just results that mattered. Riders were also judged on their horsemanship skills.
Grace Fulton, shown here in 2010 on the Full Moon Farm beginner novice steeplechase phase. Photo Courtesy of Mike J. McNally
Fulton was the leading rider overall in the series, and chose to train with Marcia Kulak. She placed second in the first qualified events at Southern Pines, and fourth at Surefire Farms HT. “I was so thrilled to learn of the scholarship—something where you weren’t judged on results alone, and got helpful feedback from known professionals,” Grace said. “Leo and I had a great time and were pretty pleased with how it turned out! I think it will be a great chance to meet new people, and can’t wait to get started!”
The three lucky riders won a week of training and board for them and their horses at the farms of Will Faudree, program founder Marcia Kulak, and Tamra Smith.
“It’s been a really busy summer for me, but I really wanted to participate in the scholarship program because it is a great way for riders to inspire the next generation,” Faudree said. Kaiylin Medlin will join Will at his farm in North Carolina.
Kaylin Medlin
“I read about the scholarship in 2011 and wished that I was eligible to participate then,” Medlin said. “Once I started going training, I made that part of my goals—to compete for and win one of the scholarships. I’m very excited about the training week I’ll have with Will Faudree. Thank you, PRO, for putting things like this and the mentorship program together for juniors.” You may remember Kaylin from our winter Working Student guest blogger series, where she and her friend Katellyn spent the winter in Ocala, FL training with Rebecca Howard.
Patno, the lone West Coast rider, will train with Tamra Smith in Temecula, Calif. “Receiving the PRO Junior Training Scholarship is such an amazing opportunity. It was very special because it was not just based on your performance at shows, but also turnout and horse care that goes on outside of the ring. When I got the letter that I received the scholarship I was ecstatic! Horse care and turnout are an important part of showing and owning a horse, and it is something that is often overlooked at shows. Riding is my passion, I take great pride in the way I present my horse and myself, and it feels great to be recognized!” she said.
Smith, who will host Patno, is also a big advocate of the program. “This is such an important program. We all had special people mentor us over the years. This is a way we, as professionals, can give back to the equestrian community, and it’s a great opportunity for kids to work at achieving a worthwhile goal,” she said.
Each rider will keep a journal that will be posted on the PRO blog.
